Government plans to eradicate rough sleeping within the decade have been met with mixed reactions in Coventry.

Earlier this week the government outlined a plan which will see £100 million spent on tackling homelessness across the country, with a focus on prevention and mental health services.

But some have criticised the strategy after it was revealed the money had already been allocated to the cause and no new money will be made available.

Charities in Coventry say more needs to be done after damaging cuts to services in recent years.

One councillor branded the recent announcement an act of "government spin".

£100 million

On Monday (August 13) the government announced ambitious plans to spend £100 million on tackling rough sleeping with an aim to completely eradicate it within a decade.

The strategy includes funds of £30 million being put towards targeted mental health funding and £50 million, to be spent over the next two years, for homes for people ready to move on from hostels or refuges.

The government says the plans involve a three-pronged approach focusing on preventing rough sleeping, intervening to help those already on the streets and assisting with recovery.

No new money

However, Communities Secretary James Brokenshire later admitted that the £100 million announced for the strategy was not 'new money', reports the Mirror.

The Tory MP admitted around half had already been committed to tackling homelessness and rough sleeping.

And he told the BBC’s Today programme the other £50 million was “reprioritisation” from within existing budgets - so will be paid for through cuts and ‘underspends’ elsewhere.

Government spin

Ed Ruane, Coventry City Council cabinet member for housing and communities, was doubtful that the strategy could live up to its aims .

He told CoventryLive: "This isn't new money, it's money that's already been allocated. Call me cynical but I believe it was a great bit of spin by the government.

"Homelessness has doubled during the Conservative administration. So having doubled it they are now going to eradicate it in less than 10 years?

"The amount of funding they are announcing is tiny really."

Comprehensive solution

Chief executive of YMCA Coventry and Warwickshire Alan Fraser was pleased that the government was working in conjunction with on the ground services, but admitted the plans were not a "comprehensive solution".

He said: "I for one want to welcome the government’s new-found commitment to tackling this scourge on our society.

"And I also want to acknowledge that the government has sought to listen to exactly the kinds of people and organisations it should be listening to when it comes to drawing up their strategy.

"Their plans do broadly tackle the problems that exist in parts of the system – dealing appropriately with mental health and substance misuse problems; ensuring that rough sleepers are identified and signposted to appropriate support; making sure that there are clear pathways into secure accommodation.

"But as other colleagues have said today, this is a first step, not a comprehensive solution."

Next decade and beyond

Mr Fraser was skeptical that the strategy could live up to its aim of eradicating homelessness by 2027.

He said the money cut since 2009, which has resulted in staff to client ratios at YMCA hostels dramatically dropping and waiting lists increasing, can not be recovered with the new plans.

He added: "It looks as though we may see the reintroduction of multi-disciplinary street outreach teams, for instance, which have a crucial role to play.

"But we need to recognise that the funding that has been lost since 2009 will not being replaced by the £100m announced.

"And until it is, the likelihood is that rough sleeping will continue into the next decade and beyond."

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Step in the right direction

Mike Fowler, Coventry Cyrenians chief executive, said he believed the plans were a "step in the right direction" but said the government has no choice but to act due to rising levels of homelessness.

He said: “We shouldn’t forget that the dramatic rise in homelessness over the last few years means that these measures have come at a crucial time where the Government couldn’t afford for further inactivity.

"If anything, it will be a challenge getting the number of those sleeping rough back to the levels they were at the start of the decade."

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Homelessness

Remain optimistic

Mr Fowler also praised the government for acknowledging the need for a focus on mental health.

He said: “What I do like about the plan specifically is the targeting of mental health, which we’ve found is the biggest issue for those in our services. This issue has been poorly addressed for decades.

“We obviously welcome any initiative which helps combat such a serious issue in modern society, but we’ve seen time and time again plans being implemented with little long-term positive impact.

"But we should remain optimistic, and fundamental to this initiative is multi-agency co-operation and forward thinking.”